María Elisa Álvarez Obaya
María Elisa Álvarez Obaya | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 12, 1934 Villaviciosa, Spain |
| Died | 26 February 2010 (aged 76) Las Palmas, Spain |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Pharmacist |
| Awards |
|
María Elisa Álvarez Obaya (12 January 1934 – 26 February 2010) was a Spanish pharmacist known for identifying the origin of a mass poisoning case.
Biography
María Elisa Álvarez Obaya was born in Villaviciosa, Asturias on 12 January 1934. She studied pharmacy at the University of Santiago de Compostela and the University of Barcelona, graduating in 1961.[1][2]
After receiving her degree, she moved to Haría, Lanzarote, where she ran a pharmacy. In January 1962 she became the municipal pharmaceutical inspector.[3]
Later, she became a researcher in the laboratories of the pharmaceutical inspector of Las Palmas.[1] She worked there until her death on 26 February 2010.[2][4]
Methanol poisoning case
In 1963, when she had been Haría's municipal pharmaceutical inspector for one year, Álvarez uncovered an infamous poisoning case. After three Lanzarote residents died and two suddenly went blind, she determined that all had recently consumed alcoholic drinks from a particular winery. She ordered all of the company's products seized from local shops and bars. By analyzing the contents of bottles, carafes, and barrels in her pharmacy's small laboratory, she discovered that the patients had been victims of methanol toxicity. She sent samples to the Las Palmas Health Department, which confirmed her findings.[2]
Her investigation led to the conviction of an alcohol merchant from Ourense and ten others who had been involved in selling drinks adulterated with dangerous amounts of methyl alcohol, a toxic chemical compound used as antifreeze, solvent, and fuel, across Galicia and the Canary Islands. Despite the rapid action of María Elisa Álvarez, it is estimated that more than 50 people died and that dozens lost their vision as a result.[1]
Honors
In recognition of her work in the "Methyl Case", Álvarez received tributes from the College of Pharmacists of Las Palmas and that of Asturias. In 1965, during the First National Assembly of Pharmacists, held in Lloret de Mar, she received the Civil Health Order with a plaque from the General Council of Pharmacists. The same year, the Real Academia Nacional de Farmacia awarded her the ninth Carracido Medal, in its Bronze category.[5][6]
In 2016 the Haría City Council dedicated a plaque in her honor.[3]
References
- ^ a b c "María Elisa Álvarez Obaya y el 'caso del metílico'" [María Elisa Álvarez Obaya and the 'Methyl Case']. Mujeres con ciencia (in Spanish). 31 August 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ a b c Macho-Stadler, Marta (30 January 2019). "María Elisa Álvarez, la farmacéutica maliaya que destapó un fraude alimentario con decenas de muertes" [María Elisa Álvarez, the Pharmacist From Villaviciosa Who Uncovered a Food Fraud With Dozens of Deaths]. La Nueva España (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ a b "María Elisa Álvarez Obaya, la farmacéutica de Haría" [María Elisa Álvarez Obaya, the Pharmacist of Haría]. Biosfera Digital (in Spanish). 25 February 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Barreto Viñoly, Gregorio. "Ha fallecido la farmacéutica María-Elisa Álvarez Obaya" [The Pharmacist María-Elisa Álvarez Obaya Has Died]. Lancelot (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ Torres Bouza, Xosé María (October 2013). "Vindicación de María Elisa Álvarez Obaya, farmacéutica ilustre" [Vindication of María Elisa Álvarez Obaya, Illustrious Pharmacist] (PDF). Farmacéuticos (in Spanish) (388): 40–41. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ "Medalla Carracido" [Carracido Medal] (in Spanish). Real Academia Nacional de Farmacia. Retrieved 20 May 2020.